System and method for matching using location information

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a method executed by at least one processor includes receiving first historical location information identifying a first location area at which a first user was present at a first time and receiving second location information identifying a second location area at which a second user was present at a second time. The method includes determining that the first historical location information and the second location information each correspond to a particular location area and determining that a characteristic related to the first user corresponds to a preference related to the second user. In response to these determinations, the method includes causing information related to the first user to be presented to the second user. The information related to the first user includes the first location area of the first user relative to the second location area of the second user.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to communication systems and moreparticularly to a system and method for matching using locationinformation.

BACKGROUND

Networking architectures have grown increasingly complex incommunications environments. In recent years, a series of protocols andconfigurations have been developed in order to accommodate a diversegroup of end users having various networking needs. Many of thesearchitectures have gained significant notoriety because they can offerthe benefits of automation, convenience, management, and enhancedconsumer selections.

Certain network protocols may be used in order to allow an end user toconduct an on-line search of candidates to fill a given vacancy. Theseprotocols may relate to job searches, person finding services, realestate searches, or on-line dating. While some believe that on-linedating is simply a matter of matching supply and demand, there isstatistical and empirical evidence to suggest that successful on-linedating entails far more.

For example, people having similar and/or compatible character traitsand values should be matched together. However, effectively linking twoparticipants together can prove to be a challenging endeavor.Coordinating a relationship between two like-minded individuals can be asignificant chore, as there are a number of obstacles and barriers thatmust be overcome.

One problem is that the search results of these services contain manyirrelevant entities to the searcher. This costs the user of the servicetime and may deter them from continuing through all of the searchresults.

Another problem that has arisen is that matching services have usedtextual submissions (such as profiles or messages) to determine matches.Users, though, often meet and evaluate others for potential matchingusing other criteria that matching services have not incorporated.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a method executed by at least one processor includesreceiving first historical location information identifying a firstlocation area at which a first user was present at a first time. Themethod includes receiving second location information identifying asecond location area at which a second user was present at a secondtime. Also, the method includes determining that the first historicallocation information and the second location information each correspondto a particular location area. In addition, the method includesdetermining that a characteristic related to the first user correspondsto a preference related to the second user. In response to determiningthat the first historical location information and the second locationinformation each correspond to the particular location area and inresponse to determining that the characteristic related to the firstuser corresponds to the preference related to the second user, themethod includes causing information related to the first user to bepresented to the second user. The information related to the first userincludes the first location area of the first user relative to thesecond location area of the second user.

In some embodiments, the location area may be a location type. Causinginformation related to the first user to be presented to the second usermay be performed in response to determining that the difference betweenthe second time and the first time is less than a time threshold. Themethod may include comparing the first historical location informationand the second location information to a database. The database maycorrelate location information with points-of-interest.

In one embodiment, a system includes an interface. The interface isconfigured to receive first historical location information identifyinga first location area at which a first user was present at a first timeand receive second location information identifying a second locationarea at which a second user was present at a second time. The systemincludes at least one processor configured to determine that the firsthistorical location information and the second location information eachcorrespond to a particular location area. The at least one processor isalso configured to determine that a characteristic related to the firstuser corresponds to a preference related to the second user. In responseto determining that the first historical location information and thesecond location information each correspond to the particular locationarea and in response to determining that the characteristic related tothe first user corresponds to the preference related to the second user,the at least one processor is configured to cause information related tothe first user to be presented to the second user. The informationrelated to the first user includes the first location area of the firstuser relative to the second location area of the second user.

Depending on the specific features implemented, particular embodimentsmay exhibit some, none, or all of the following technical advantages.Various embodiments may be capable of allowing a user to submit locationinformation (such as persistent location information) in order to obtainmore relevant matches. In some embodiments, a user may be notified ofpotential matches who visit the same places as the user, therebyproviding the user with matching results that may be more relevant.Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled inthe art from the following figures, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsadvantages, reference is made to the following descriptions, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a simplified block diagram of a system for facilitatingcommunication in a network environment, in accordance with a particularembodiment;

FIG. 1B shows the contents of the terminal from FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C shows the contents of the matching server from FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of providinginformation regarding users that have visited a location;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of providing anindication of the number of users that have visited places in a locationarea;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of enhancing matchingservices based on received preferred location information; and

FIG. 5 illustrates an example computer system suitable for implementingone or more portions of particular embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1A, one embodiment of a communication system is shown.FIG. 1A is a simplified diagram of a system 100 for facilitatingcommunication in a network environment. Users 14-15 interact with server20 through terminals 10 a-b. Users 14-15 travel to location areas 17 a-cas indicated by paths 30 a-b and 31 a-b. Server 20 is coupled to pointsof interest (“POI”) database 40. FIG. 1B is a diagram showing, in oneembodiment, example contents of terminal 10 a. Terminal 10 a comprisescommunication module 11, display 12, location module 13, and interface16 (so that user 14 may be able to interact with terminal 10 a). FIG. 1Cis a diagram showing, in one embodiment, example contents of server 20.Server 20 comprises memory 26, at least one CPU 28, and analysis module29. Terminals 10 a-b and server 20 are communicatively coupled vianetwork connections 22 and network 24. In some embodiments, analysismodule 29 may be configured to analyze location information,preferences, and characteristics sent from users 14-15 and determinewhether user 14 should receive information related to user 15.

Users 14-15 are clients, customers, prospective customers, or entitieswishing to participate in an on-line dating scenario and/or to viewinformation associated with other participants in the system. Users14-15 may also seek to access or to initiate communication with otherusers that may be delivered via network 24. Users 14-15 may review data(such as profiles, for example, with user characteristics andpreferences) associated with other users in order to make matchingdecisions or elections. Data, as used herein, refers to any type ofnumeric, voice, video, text, or location data, or any other suitableinformation in any appropriate format that may be communicated from onepoint to another.

In one embodiment, terminals 10 a-b represent (and are inclusive of) apersonal computer that may be used to access network 24. Alternatively,terminals 10 a-b may be representative of a cellular telephone, anelectronic notebook, a tablet computer, a laptop, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), or any other suitable device (wireless or otherwise:some of which can perform web browsing), component, or element capableof accessing one or more elements within system 100. Interface 16, whichmay be provided in conjunction with the items listed above, may furthercomprise any suitable interface for a human user such as a video camera,a microphone, a keyboard, a mouse, or any other appropriate equipmentaccording to particular configurations and arrangements. In addition,interface 16 may be a unique element designed specifically forcommunications involving system 100. Such an element may be fabricatedor produced specifically for matching applications involving a user.

Communication module 11 may be implemented using any suitablecombination of hardware, firmware, and software. Communication module11, in some embodiments, may be a modem, network interface card,wireless communication device, cellular data communication device, orother suitable module for communicating information using connections22. Communication module 11 may communicate one or more communicationschemes, such as those defined by the IEEE LAN/MAN Standards Committee(IEEE 802), including both wired and wireless standards.

Display 12, in some embodiments, may be a computer monitor, a liquidcrystal display (LCD), an active-matrix organic light-emitting diodedisplay (AMOLED), a super AMOLED, a light-emitting diode (LED) baseddisplay, or other suitable displays for desktop and/or mobile devices.Alternatively, display 12 may be a projector, speaker, or other devicethat allows users 14-15 to appreciate information that system 100transmits.

Location module 13 may be implemented using any suitable combination ofhardware, firmware, and software. Location module 13 may determineinformation regarding the physical location of terminal 10 a. Examplesof such location information include latitude/longitude coordinates,physical address, zip code, area code, city, county, state, country, andgeographic area. Location module 13 may determine the locationinformation using one or more suitable technologies, such as GlobalPositioning System (GPS), available IEEE 802.11 networks, and cellularradio signals. For example, location module 13 may use triangulation ofwireless signals such as 802.11 networks and/or cellular radio signals.As another example, Uplink Time Difference of Arrival (U-TDOA) may beused by location module 13 to determine location information. In someembodiments, location module 13 may determine location information usinginput from a user (such as users 14-15). For example, location module 13may use user input as one factor in determining location and rely onother technologies to make a determination as to the location ofterminal 10 a. As another example, location module 13 may allow user 14to specify location information (i.e., an intersection, an address, or abusiness). A user may specify location information by selecting locationinformation from a list or map provided by location module 13.

Network 24 comprises one or more communicative platforms operable toexchange data or information emanating from users 14-15. Network 24could include a plain old telephone system (POTS). Transmission ofinformation emanating from the user may be assisted by managementassociated with server 20 or manually keyed into a telephone or othersuitable electronic equipment. In some embodiments, network 24 couldinclude any packet data network offering a communications interface orexchange between any two nodes in system 100. Network 24 mayalternatively be any local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network(MAN), wide area network (WAN), wireless local area network (WLAN),virtual private network (VPN), intranet, or any other appropriatearchitecture or system that facilitates communications in a network ortelephonic environment, including a combination of any networks orsystems described above. In various embodiments, network connections 22may include wired and/or wireless mediums which may be provisioned withrouters and firewalls.

In some embodiments, POI database 40 may be implemented using anysuitable combination of hardware, firmware, and software. POI database40 may include data indicating what is available at certain geographiclocations. For example, POI database 40 may include data regardingrestaurants, retailers, gas stations, historical sites, counties,cities, metropolitan areas, zip codes, or other locations that may be ofinterest to users such as users 14 and 15. Examples of POI database 40include the CITYSEARCH database and the POYNT database.

Server 20 is operable to receive and to communicate information toterminal 10. In some embodiments, server 20 may comprise a plurality ofservers or other equipment, each performing different or the samefunctions in order to receive and communicate information to terminal10. Server 20 may include software and/or algorithms to achieve theoperations for processing, communicating, delivering, gathering,uploading, maintaining, and/or generally managing data, as describedherein. Alternatively, such operations and techniques may be achieved byany suitable hardware, component, device, application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), additional software, field programmable gatearray (FPGA), server, processor, algorithm, erasable programmable ROM(EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), or any othersuitable object that is operable to facilitate such operations. In someembodiments, server 20 may comprise one or more clusters of virtual orhardware-based computing nodes, a distributed computing infrastructure,or other suitable forms of providing a software service using multiplecomputers. In some embodiments, server 20 may offer one or more servicesto users 14 and 15 via network 24 such as social networking,professional networking, conference services, messaging, gaming, onlinedating, marketplace, discussion board, news, travel services, retailservices, or other suitable services. Server 20 can be used to identifyand to evaluate suitable candidates in various areas (e.g.hiring/employment, recruiting, real estate, general person searches,online dating, etc.).

In some embodiments, memory 26 may include multiple storage structures,such as storage structures 23 and 25, one or file systems, as well asother suitable structures for storing and retrieving data. For example,storage structures 23 and 25 may be implemented using one or moredatabases, file systems, tables, stacks, heaps, or other suitablestorage structures.

In some embodiments, location areas 17 a-c may be a geographic area thatusers 14-15 visit. Examples of location areas include:latitude/longitude coordinates, a physical address, an intersection ofstreets, a city, a state, a zip code, a region, a province, a regiondefined by an area code, a business, a neighborhood, a shopping center,a borough, or other suitable geographic areas. In some embodiments,location areas 17 a-c may be a location type, such as a business, ahistorical site, a library, or a restaurant. As another example,location areas 17 a-c may be an event at a location area, such as aconcert, speech, or a sports event.

In some embodiments, users 14-15, using terminals 10, register withserver 20. Registration may include users 14-15 submitting informationto server 20 about users 14-15 as well as characteristics with whichusers 14-15 are seeking to be matched. In various embodiments, server 20may be configured to collect this information; for example, suchinformation may include gender, preferred gender of a potential match,height, weight, age, location, ethnicity, birthplace, eating habits,activities, and goals. Server 20 may further receive informationregarding what users 14-15 may be looking for in a match, such asgender, age, weight, height, location, ethnicity, diet, and education.

Further, server 20 may receive information from users 14-15 indicatinghow important certain factors are when looking for a match. For example,server 20 may allow the user to indicate which characteristics in apotential match are a necessity. In another example, server 20 may ask,“How important is it that your match does not smoke?” Server 20 may alsoallow the user to indicate that certain characteristics are notimportant search criteria. For example, when asking user 14 about whatheight or weight user 14 is seeking in a match, server 20 may beconfigured to receive “not important” as a response. In yet anotherexample, server 20 may allow user 14 to rate which factors are importanton a numerical scale. For example, server 20 may ask user 14 thefollowing: “On a scale of 1-10, how important is it that your match hasthe same education level as you?” In some embodiments, server 20 mayspecify that any number of questions or requested descriptions arenecessary before registration may be concluded. As an example only,server 20 may require that user 14 communicate the sex of user 14 andthe sex user 14 prefers to be matched with. Server 20 may be configuredto receive the information submitted by users 14-15 and create profilesfor users 14-15 based on that information, storing the profiles inmemory 26, such as in storage structure 25.

In some embodiments, server 20 may receive information from users 14-15after registration. Server 20 may receive location information fromusers 14-15 after registration has been completed. For example, terminal10 a may be configured to send location information regarding user 14 toserver 20 passively or actively. For example, user 14 may travel tolocation area 17 a as indicated by path 30 a. At location area 17 a,terminal 10 a may transmit location information to server 20 (such aslatitude and longitude coordinates). This may be done in response touser 14 requesting that terminal 10 a transmit the location information,or terminal 10 a may automatically send the location information. Asanother example, an application in terminal 10 a may be configured tosend location information regarding user 14 to server 20 periodically orcontinuously. The application may be configured to operate as abackground process on terminal 10 a. The location information may betransmitted using connections 22 and network 24. Server 20 may receivelocation information and store it in storage structure 23. Server 20 mayalso store the time when the location information was received from user14 in storage structure 23.

In some embodiments, analysis module 29 may be implemented using anysuitable combination of hardware, firmware, and software. Analysismodule 29 may be configured to search through information such asprofiles stored in storage structure 25 regarding users (such as users14-15) and present matches to user 14. Techniques for determiningrelevant matches for users are well known in the art. Some includedetermining how closely one user's preferences match another user'scharacteristics and vice versa. In some embodiments, server 20 may beconfigured to generate a pool of potential matching users for user 14according to various characteristics and preferences of user 14 andother users of the system. Server 20 may assign scores to the pool ofpotential matching users for user 14 based on preferences and/oractivity of user 14. Server 20 may also restrict entities from beingincluded in the pool of potential matching users based on the status ofthe profile, location information regarding the entity, or locationinformation regarding user 14. User 14 may specify a preference to bematched with or not to be matched with users that visit certainlocations or location types, such as stores, libraries, or restaurants.User 14 may specify a preference to be matched with or not to be matchedwith users that visit the same locations or location types as user 14.Analysis module 29 may use the location information in storage structure23 received from users 14 and 15 when applying preferences regardinglocation information of user 14 when determining matching users for user14.

In some embodiments, analysis module 29 may be configured to presentinformation regarding other users registered with server 20 (such asuser 15) to user 14 based on the present or past location(s) of user 14.For example, users 14 and 15 may travel to location areas 17 a-c asindicated by paths 30 a-b and 31 a-b. User 15 arrives at location area17 b and terminal 10 b transmits location information regarding user 15and location area 17 b to server 20. At a later time, after user 15 hasleft location area 17 b, user 14 arrives at location area 17 b. Terminal10 a sends location information regarding user 14 and location area 17 bto server 20. Then, server 20 sends a notification to terminal 10 aindicating that user 15 was at location area 17 b. Server 20 may sendthe notification after determining that user 15 has one or morecharacteristics that are preferable to user 14. The notification may besent after user 14 has departed location area 17 b. Server 20 mayprovide an indication of the time difference between when user 14arrived at location area 17 b and when user 15 was at location area 17b. Server 20 may send information regarding user 15 to user 14. User 14may also receive (using terminal 10 a) information regarding other userswho are registered with server 20 that have also been at location area17 b previous to user 14. For example, server 20 may send a list ofusers who have been at location area 17 b and indicate when each ofthose users were at location area 17 b relative to when user 14 was atlocation area 17 b.

In some embodiments, notifications to user 14 may provide informationregarding when and where other users (such as user 15) have been as theyrelate to when and where user 14 has been. The notifications may includeinformation regarding a location area 17 a-c at which user 15 may havebeen present relative to a location area 17 a-c at which user 14 may beor have been present. For example, a notification may notify user 14that user 14 missed being in the same location area as user 15 by acertain amount of time and may present information regarding user 15 touser 14. For example, the notification may notify user 14 that user 14missed being at the same restaurant as user 15 by 15 minutes and mayprovide information regarding user 15 such as a picture, profileinformation, or user identifier. The information provided may indicatethat user 15 may be a good match for user 14. A notification may notifyuser 14 that user 14 has similar patterns of behavior as user 15, suchas visiting the same type of location at the same or different times.For example, the notification may notify user 14 that user 14 and user15 visit the same location area everyday (such as a coffee shop), visitthe same park in the mornings, go to a gym three times a week, orattended the same event the previous night. A notification may notifyuser 14 that user 15 goes to the same type of locations as user 14. Forexample, a notification may notify user 14 that user 14 and user 15 goto coffee shops in the morning or go to gyms in the evening. Anotification may notify user 14 that user 15 travels the same or similarroutes and/or paths as user 14 (i.e., user 14 and user 15 visit the samelocations in the same order). As examples, a notification may notifyuser 14 that user 14 and user 15 take the same bus to work, use the sameroads to get to work, attend the same restaurant and then the same movietheatre, or go to the same gym and then the same smoothie store. Anotification may notify user 14 that user 15 are in nearby locationareas at the same or different times. As examples, a notification maynotify user 14 that user 14 and user 15 work on the same block duringthe week or that user 14 and user 15 go to restaurants in adjacentboroughs on different days.

In some embodiments, this may provide an advantage in that user 14 maybe provided with other users who visit the same location as user 14which may interest user 14 in being matched with such users. Anotherexample of how this may be advantageous is that server 20 may providepotential matches to user 14 in a manner that may be more relevant touser 14 given that such matches have visited the same location area 17 bas user 14.

In some embodiments, analysis module 29 may be configured to receive arequest from user 14 to be matched with users in the same location orlocation type as the present location of user 14. For example, user 14may travel to location area 17 a as indicated by path 30 a. User 14causes terminal 10 a to send an indication to server 20 that user 14would like to be matched with other users that have been in locationarea 17 a or in a type of location that is similar to location area 17a. Terminal 10 a sends the preference(s) of user 14 along with locationinformation regarding location area 17 a to server 20. Server 20 useslocation information stored in storage structure 23 of other users (suchas user 15) registered with server 20 to determine users to match withuser 14. Server 20 may use information from POI database 40 to determinelocation types that may be similar to location area 17 a. Server 20 mayalso use other characteristics of users registered with server 20, suchas those stored in storage structure 25 (including profile information),to determine users that may be of interest to user 14. Analysis module29 performs comparisons to determine which users should be presented touser 14. The comparisons may take into account the preference expressedby user 14 regarding location area 17 a. The comparisons may beperformed by scoring various characteristics of the users in light ofstated preferences and activity of user 14. In some embodiments, thismay be advantageous in that user 14 may be able to express location as apreference to enhance the search for matches performed by server 20which may provide more relevant potential matches.

In some embodiments, analysis module 29 may be configured to provide anindication to user 14 of other users registered with server 20 (such asuser 15) that may be in the same location or location type as user 14.For example, user 15 may arrive at location area 17 b as indicated bypaths 31 a and 31 b. Sometime later, user 14 arrives at location area 17b as indicated by paths 30 a and 30 b. After arriving at location area17 b, terminal 10 b transmits location information regarding user 15 andlocation area 17 b to server 20. After arriving at location area 17 b,terminal 10 a transmits information regarding user 14 and location area17 b to server 20. User 14 may send a request to server 20 to receiveinformation regarding other users registered with server 20 that may beat location area 17 b. Analysis module 29 analyzes location informationin storage structure 23 and information regarding characteristics ofusers registered with server 20 in storage structure 25 to determineother users of server 20 that may be at location area 17 b. Analysismodule 29 may cause an indication to be sent to user 14 that providesinformation regarding one or more users (such as user 15) that may alsobe at location 17 b at the same time as user 14 who have one or morecharacteristics that match preferences previously submitted by user 14.The indication may be sent after user 14 has departed from location 17 bor while user 14 is still at location 17 b. Analysis module 29 may beconfigured to receive and process location information from user 14 andprovide the indication to user 14 in real time. In some embodiments,presenting an indication to user 14 informing user 14 of one or moreusers that are at or have been at the same or similar location areas asuser 14 may be advantageous in that user 14 may be provided informationregarding other users that may be of interest to user 14 that are in thesame location as user 14. This may provide user 14 an opportunity tomeet people in whom user 14 may have an interest.

FIGS. 2-4 are flowcharts illustrating embodiments of the operation ofsystem 100 of FIG. 1A. In general, the steps illustrated in FIGS. 2-4may be combined, modified, or deleted where appropriate, and additionalsteps may also be added to the example operation. Furthermore, thedescribed steps may be performed in any suitable order. In someembodiments, the steps described below may be performed by any suitablecombination of the elements discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1A-1Cor other suitable elements.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of how analysis module29 of FIG. 1C may provide an indication to user 14 of FIG. 1A of usersregistered with server 20 of FIG. 1A (such as user 15) that were at alocation area or location type where user 14 also was at some time. Oneor more of the steps illustrated in FIG. 2 may be repeated by analysismodule 29 for one or more users that have registered with server 20.

At step 210, in some embodiments, server 20 may receive and storelocation information from various users who have registered with server20 (such as user 15). For example, historical location information maybe received at this step indicating location areas where usersregistered with server 20 have been. Terminals such as terminals 10 a-bmay send the location information using modules such as location module13. The location information may include information regarding one ormore of: longitude/latitude coordinates, a physical address, anintersection, a neighborhood, a county, a city, a state, a zip code, anarea code, a region, a country, or other suitable information thatdescribes geographic location. In some embodiments, a toleranceparameter(s) may be included with the location information indicatinghow precise the location information is. For example, the locationinformation may include an intersection of two streets, and thetolerance parameter may indicate that the information is accurate withinten blocks. Server 20 may cause the location information received atthis step to be stored in a stored structure such as storage structure23. Along with the location information, server 20 may store otherinformation, such as: information regarding one or more of the usersregistered with server 20 associated with the location information,characteristics of the users submitting the location information, thetimes that the users arrived at and/or departed from the locationassociated with the location information, user preferences as to how thelocation information should be used, or other data associated with thelocation information. In some embodiments, server 20 may be configuredto store the location type associated with the location informationreceived at this step. As an example, server 20 may receive informationabout the location type from POI database 40 and store that informationwith the location information received at this step. Example locationtypes include point-of-interest (POI), restaurant, business, historicalsite, shopping, names of businesses, museums, or other suitabledescriptions of the geographic area identified by the locationinformation. Information received and stored at step 210 may includeevent information related to the location information such as a concert,speech, or a sports event.

At step 220, in some embodiments, location information (such aspersistent location information) from user 14 may be received by server20. For example, historical location information may be received at thisstep indicating location areas or events at location areas where user 14has been. User 14 may have arrived at location area 17 a and terminal 10a may have transmitted the location information received at this stepusing information from location module 13. This transmission may havebeen performed passively or actively. For example, terminal 10 a mayhave been configured to transmit location information as user 14 travelsto various location areas. As another example, terminal 10 a may havebeen configured to transmit location information when a particularapplication is launched on terminal 10 a. As another example, terminal10 a may be configured to transmit location information in response toan indication from user 14 (i.e., user 14 presses a button or taps anactive portion of a screen of terminal 10 a to indicate that thelocation information should be sent).

At step 230, in some embodiments, the location information received atstep 220 is compared to the location information stored at step 210 byanalysis module 29. As an example, this may be done to determine whetherother users have been in the same location area that user 14 is in orhave attended the same event that user 14 is at as indicated by thelocation information received at step 220. As another example, this maybe done to determine whether other users have been in the same locationarea that user 14 has been as indicated by the location informationreceived at step 220. Various methods may be used to compare thelocation information at this step. Method used may, in variousembodiments, be dependent on the type of location information receivedand/or stored at steps 210 and 220. For example, latitude and longitudecoordinates may be compared to one another, and a threshold may be usedto determine whether they are considered to be within the same locationarea. As another example, location information such as addresses, zipcodes, or area codes may be compared to one another to determine wherethere is a match. As another example, location information such aslatitude and longitude coordinates may be compared to an address bydetermining what location the latitude and longitude coordinates areindicate of and calculating a distance from that location to theaddress. The distance may then be compared to a threshold as discussedfurther below. As another example, latitude and longitude coordinatesmay be compared to a zip code by determining whether the locationindicated by the coordinates falls within geographic area associatedwith the zip code. As another example, at this step the location type ofthe location information received at step 220 and the locationinformation stored at step 210 may be compared.

At step 235, in some embodiments, analysis module 29 may determinewhether differences between the location information received at step220 and the location information received at step 210 is below athreshold. For example, a distance threshold may be used at this step.This may determine whether the location information being compared aregeographically close enough to indicate a same location area. Multipledistance thresholds may be used depending on the type of locationinformation being compared. For example, when comparing two addresses,the threshold might be set such that to be below the threshold theaddresses must be the same. As another example when comparing addresses,the threshold might be set to allow for the addresses to differ by aspecified amount (i.e., 3 blocks). As another example, if the locationinformation being compared are two sets of latitude/longitudecoordinates, then the threshold might be a distance between the twopairs of coordinates (e.g., two miles). As another example, whencomparing an address to a zip code, the threshold may be that theaddress be located within the area associated with the zip code or maybe that the address be located in the area associated with the zip or inan area adjacent to the area associated with the zip. As anotherexample, when comparing location types, the threshold may be set suchthat a match is determined if the location types are the same. Asanother example, when comparing location types, the threshold may be setsuch that a match is determined if the location types are similar (i.e.,a location type of a restaurant serving American cuisine may beconsidered a match to a location type of a restaurant serving Asiancuisine). The thresholds may be different based upon the location areasindicated by the location information. For example, thresholds may varybased on the city or region identified, such as using one threshold fora large city and another threshold for a small city. If the differencebetween the location information being compared is below the threshold,then users associated with the location information received at step 210may be further considered at step 240. If it is determined that thelocation information being compared is at or above the threshold, thenthe users associated with the location information received at step 210may not be considered further. In some embodiments, if the differencebetween the location information is at or above the threshold, then user14 may not be in the same location area that the user had been whoselocation information is being compared.

In some embodiments, steps 230 and 235 may be performed multiple timesas analysis module 29 analyzes the location information stored at step210 from various users who have subscribed to server 20. Analysis module29 may perform these steps with groups of users or may perform thesesteps with all the users whose location information is stored in storagestructure 23. In some embodiments, steps 230 and 235 may be performedsuch that analysis module 29 determines whether user 14 visits the sameor similar multiple location areas as users registered with server 20.For example, analysis module 29 may determine that user 14 and user 15visit the same or similar multiple location areas or have attended thesame event with a location area.

At step 240, in some embodiments, analysis module 29 may compare timeinformation included with the location information received at step 220with time information associated with the location information receivedat step 210 that was determined to be in the same location area at steps230 and 235. The time information compared at this step may includemilliseconds, seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years and/orother suitable measurements of time. This step may be performed so thatanalysis module 29 may determine how long it has been since the userswho were determined to be in the same location area as user 14 at steps230 and 235 arrived at or departed from the location area and user 14arrived at the location area. The time information compared at this stepmay be the time that user 14 arrived at the location area indicated bythe location information received at step 220, the time that the otherusers arrived at that location area, the time that the other users leftthat location area, and/or the time that the other users arrived at adifferent location area. In some embodiments, the time that a user lefta location area may be determined based on the time that the userarrives at the location area, the time that the user arrives at adifferent location area, or the period of time the user remained in thesame location area.

At step 245, in some embodiments, the difference in the time informationcompared at step 240 may be compared to a time threshold. If thedifference is greater than the threshold, then step 250 may beperformed. If the difference is less than the threshold, then theassociated users may no longer be considered. The difference beinggreater than a threshold may indicate that user 14 had arrived at alocation area after another user left the location area. The differencebeing below the threshold may indicate that user 14 is at the locationarea with another user at the same time. Example time thresholds include10 minutes, 20 minutes, and 1 hour.

In some embodiments, step 245 may be performed by determining whetherany difference in the time information compared at step 240 is less thana time threshold. In such embodiments, if the difference is less thanthe threshold, then step 250 may be performed. If the difference isgreater than the threshold, then the associated users may no longer beconsidered. Example time thresholds include 10 seconds, 10 minutes, 20minutes, and 30 minutes. This may be applied in situations when analysismodule 29 is configured to determine if user 14 has been to the samelocation area or location type as other users registered with server 20at or near the same time. The time threshold discussed above may beconfigurable. For example, the time threshold may depend on the locationinformation received at step 220. As another example, the time thresholdmay depend on the population density associated with the locationinformation received at step 220.

In some embodiments, steps 240 and 245 may not be performed. Forexample, analysis module 29 may be configured to present user 14 with anotification of users registered with server 20 who have been in thesame location area at the same time as or at a different time than user14.

At step 250, in some embodiments, characteristics of certain users whoselocation information was stored at 210 may be compared to preferencesand/or characteristics of user 14. The users whose characteristics arecompared at this step may be users who have been in the same locationarea as user 14 and who have left the location area at a timesufficiently later than when user 14 arrived as discussed above withrespect to steps 230 through 245. Examples of characteristics and/orpreferences compared at step 250 may include interests, height, age,weight, sex, income, eye color, hair color, profession, residence orother suitable characteristics for matching. This step may be performedusing information in storage structure 25, such as profile informationof users registered with server 20.

At step 255, in some embodiments, it may be determined whether asufficient number of preferences of user 14 match characteristics of theusers compared at step 250. The number of matching characteristics maybe set depending on desired levels of tolerance. For example, if user 14has few potential matching candidates according to his or herpreferences, then only one preference being satisfied may be sufficient.As another example, if there are many potential candidates that matchwith user 14, then more than one preference may be required to be met atthis step. The determination at step 255 may be dynamic by responding tochanges in the profile or preferences of user 14. For example, if user14 changes the associated profile, the number of potential matchingcandidates may change. The change in the number of potential matchingcandidates may also change the determination of whether a sufficientnumber of preferences of user 14 have been matched that occurs at step255. Step 260 may be performed with respect to users that havecharacteristics which satisfy a sufficient number of preferences of user14. Users that do not have characteristics which satisfy a sufficientnumber of preferences of user 14 may no longer be considered in thisprocess. In some embodiments, this may result in selecting only usersthat user 14 be interested in meeting. In some embodiments, one or morescores may be used in step 255. For example, a score may be given to onecharacteristic because it was close to matching a preference of user 14while another characteristic may receive a lower score because it wasnot as close to matching a preference of user 14. These scores(separately or combined) may be compared to one or more thresholds todetermine if the preferences have been matched. The scores may also beanalyzed based on importance levels that user 14 has indicated regardinghis or her preferences.

At step 260, in some embodiments, analysis module 29 may cause anindication to be presented to user 14 that includes information relatedto users of server 20 that were at a location area or location typewhere user 14 also was at some time. The information in the indicationmay include information regarding a location area at which a userregistered with server 20 may have been present relative to a locationarea at which user 14 may be or have been present. The indication maynot reveal the exact location area that user 14 has in common with theother users. For example, instead of indicating exactly which coffeeshop or gym another user attends, the indication may disclose to user 14the area, neighborhood, shopping center, street block, or othergeographical description that user 14 has in common with user 15. Asanother example, the information in the indication may includeinformation regarding the location type that user 14 has in common withother users registered with server 20 (e.g., user 14 and other usersvisit coffee shops, libraries, or bowling alleys). In some embodiments,the indication may include information indicating that: user 14 was ator near the same location area as user 15 at different times, user 14was at or near the same location area as user 15 at the same or nearlythe same time, user 14 was at the same location type as user 15 at thesame or nearly the same time, or user 14 was at or near the samelocation type as user 15 at different times.

The information that may be included in this indication may include useridentifiers used in communicating with server 20, real names,photographs, interests, personal information, contact information,and/or other characteristics of users registered with server 20. Thelist of users presented to user 14 at this step may be sorted by one ormore factors including residence of the users, the difference in timebetween when those users left the location area and when user 14 arrivedat the location area, how many preferences of user 14 are met, or othersuitable characteristics or factors. The information may also includethe difference in time between when user 14 arrived at the location areaand when the users whose information is presented at this step arrivedor left the location area. The information may also include the distancebetween the location information of user 14 received at step 220 and thelocation information of users whose information is presented at thisstep. The information presented at this step may indicate that user 14and user 15 have a path or route in common (i.e., users 14 and 15 visitthe same location areas in the same order).

The information presented at this step may be sent from server 20 toterminal 10 a. Terminal 10 a may provide user 14 with a notificationthat the indication is available to be presented. As an example, thisinformation may be useful to user 14 in that user 14 may be able todetermine which users user 14 missed the opportunity to meet and may bemotivated to attempt to contact such users using one or more servicesoffered by server 20. User 14 may perceive that he or she missed aconnection with a potential match because of the indication thatanalysis module 29 caused to be presented at step 260. As anotherexample of an advantage, user 14 may be able to determinecharacteristics of people who have visited the location area before andmay determine to return because those characteristics are of interest touser 14. User 14 may be provided with information or options to contactpeople-of-interest. For example, user 14 may contact people-of-interestusing a service offered by server 20, by e-mail, or by telephone. Asanother example of an advantage, user 14 may indicate that user 14should not be matched with other users from the location areas user hasvisited after user 14 has been presented with the information at step260.

In some embodiments, the steps of FIG. 2 may be performed in a differentorder than illustrated. For example, steps 250 and 255 may be performedbefore steps 230 and 235. As another example, steps 250 and 255 may beperformed before steps 240 and 245.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of how analysis module29 of FIG. 1C may provide an indication to user 14 of FIG. 1A of thenumber of users registered with server 20 of FIG. 1A (such as user 15)that have been at places in the same location area as user 14.

At step 310, in some embodiments, location information may be receivedby server 20 from users that have registered with one or more servicesoffered by server 20 (such as user 15). This step may be performedsimilarly to step 210 of FIG. 2. Users registered with server 20 mayhave devices with them such as terminals 10 a and 10 b that transmitlocation information to server 20 actively or passively. The locationinformation may be stored in a structure such as storage structure 23.Various types of location information may be received, such as aphysical address or latitude/longitude coordinates.

At step 320, in some embodiments, places associated with locationinformation received at step 310 may be determined. This step may beperformed by analysis module 29. The location information received bystep 310 may compared to one or more databases or services to determinewhat places are at or near the location information received at step310. Examples of places determined at this step may include a type ofplace, a restaurant, a business, a shopping center, a neighborhood, ahistorical site, a service, or other points of interest. As anotherexample, events occurring at a place may be determined. Places may bedetermined using a database or service such as POI database 40 of FIG.1A. In some embodiments, multiple places may be determined for a givenitem of location information associated with one of the users registeredwith server 20. For example, an address may have been received at step310, and, at step 320, a business associated with that address may bedetermined. As another example, a zip code may be received at step 310and multiple businesses or neighborhoods may be determined at step 320.As another example, an address may have been received at step 310, and,at step 320, multiple businesses at or near that address may bedetermined.

At step 330, in some embodiments, the number of users associated withthe places determined in step 320 may be determined. Analysis module 29may perform this step. At this step, the places determined at step 320from the information received at step 310 are then correlated to theusers who sent the location information received at step 310. The numberof users registered with server 20 that have been to the placesdetermined at step 320 may be determined at this step. For example, itmay be determined that ten users submit the location information thatwas associated with a restaurant determined at step 320.

At step 340, in some embodiments, server 20 may receive locationinformation from user 14. This step may be performed similarly to step220 of FIG. 2. User 14 may have caused this information to be sent viaterminal 10 a. This information may be sent via terminal 10 a passivelyor actively.

At step 350, in some embodiments, one or more places may be determinedfrom the location information received from user 14 at step 340. Forexample, if location information received at step 340 was a physicaladdress, then one place may be determined such as a business, residence,or other entity occupying the physical address. As another example, if azip code was received at step 340, then the places within the zip code(such as businesses, residences, neighborhoods and other entities withinthe zip code's region) may be determined. In some embodiments,information that refers to a specific geographic location (such as anaddress or latitude/longitude coordinates) multiple places may bedetermined. For example, if an address was received at step 340, thenplaces in or around that address may be determined within a given radius(such as one mile, two blocks, 500 yards, and/or other suitablemeasurements). This step may be performed similarly to step 320. Forexample, POI database 40 of FIG. 1A may be used to compare the locationinformation to the database to determine places such as points ofinterest that are in the database.

At step 360, in some embodiments, analysis module 29 may compare theplaces determined at step 350 to the places stored at step 320. This maybe done to determine whether there is a match between the placesdetermined at step 350 to the places stored at step 320. In someembodiments, this may be done to determine whether these place(s) arewithin the same geographic region (such as a block, neighborhood, zipcode, shopping center, mall, or other suitable geographic region).

At step 370, in some embodiments, the number of users registered withserver 20 and associated with the places determined at determined atstep 350 are presented to user 14. This may be performed by identifyingthe number of users determined at step 330 corresponding to the matchingplaces determined at step 360. For example, if a restaurant wasdetermined to have 30 associated users registered with server 20 at step330, and that restaurant was determined at step 350, 30 users would bedetermined at this step. After determining the number of usersassociated with the places determined at step 350, analysis module 29may cause server 20 to send an indication of the places determined atstep 350 and the number of registered users that have visited the placesdetermined at step 350. In some embodiments this may be advantageousbecause user 14 may be presented with information regarding the numberof users that frequent the places near which user 14 is located. Forexample, server 20 may offer a dating service or matchmaking servicewhere user 14 and other registered users of server 20 are attempting tobe matched or date each other. Being able to determine the number ofregistered users that have been to the places surrounding user 14 may bebeneficial in that user 14 may be able meet the registered users inperson in that location. As another example, user 14 may be a studentand server 20 may be offering a service for students. Presenting user 14with the number of other registered users of server 20 that have visitedplaces surrounding user 14 may help user 14 to make a decision as towhat place user 14 would prefer visiting. For example, if user 14 wasattempting to choose a restaurant to eat at knowing that other studentsfrequent that restaurant may help user 14 to make the decision. Terminal10 a associated with user 14 may receive the communication from server20 and present the indication of the number of users and other placessurrounding user 14 via a screen. Terminal 10 a may provide anotification that server 20 has sent such information, such as a sound,icon, badge, or vibration. As another example, this information may beprovided as an augmented reality experience for user 14 such that user14 may be capable of moving terminal 10 a to different location areasand receiving the number of other registered users in the places at thelocation areas. Such information may be visually represented on thescreen of terminal 10 a along with the places at the location areas.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of how analysis module29 of FIG. 1C may receive preferred location information from user 14 ofFIG. 1A and use it to enhance matching services with other usersregistered with server 20 of FIG. 1A (such as user 15).

At step 410, in some embodiments, location information from usersregistered with server 20 may be received and stored at server 20. Thismay be performed similar to step 210 of FIG. 2. Location information maybe sent from terminals such as terminal 10 a of users registered withserver 20 actively or passively. Location information may include, forexample, physical addresses or latitude/longitude coordinates. Thelocation information and users associated with that location informationmay be stored at server 20 along with other information (such as thetime the location information was received or sent) in a structure suchas storage structure 23 of FIG. 1C.

At step 420, in some embodiments, preferred location information fromuser 14 may be received by server 20. For example, user 14 may be in aplace such as a restaurant that user 14 appreciates. User 14 may desireto meet other people who also have visited the restaurant. As a result,user 14 may submit the location information of the restaurant to server20 in order to be matched with others who have been at the restaurant.Terminal 10 a may be used to send the preferred location informationthat is received at step 420. Examples of the location informationreceived at step 420 may include latitude/longitude coordinates, anaddress, a city, a state, a zip code, a point of interest, and/or othersuitable descriptions of a location. As an example, user 14 may use amobile device, such as a smart phone, to start an application that isconfigured to communicate with server 20. When at a location that user14 appreciates, user 14 may indicate to the application to send thecurrent location information regarding user 14 to server 20. As anotherexample, user 14 may be in a neighborhood that user 14 appreciates. User14 may send the location information to server 20 in order to be matchedwith other users of server 20 that may be associated with theneighborhood. For example, server 20 may provide a matching service, adating service, or a real estate listing service in which user 14 wouldwant to be matched with those who are associated with the neighborhood.

At step 430, in some embodiments, analysis module 29 may compare thepreferred location information received at step 420 to the locationinformation stored at step 410. This may be done to identify registeredusers of server 20 that have location information associated with themthat match or correspond to the preferred location information receivedat step 420. In some embodiments, location types corresponding to thelocation information are compared. Location types may be determined forthe location information, and it may be determined whether there is amatch in location types. Events occurring at places corresponding to thelocation information may be determined. For example, it may bedetermined that the preferred location information received at step 420corresponds to a coffee shop. The location information submitted at step410 may be analyzed to determine others who have been to coffee shops tosee if there is a match in location type. Other characteristics may betaken into account during the comparison at step 430. For example, user14 may specify other preferences regarding desired matches and thosepreferences may be compared to users identified by comparing thepreferred location information to the stored location information. Forexample, user 14 may have registered with a dating service offered byserver 20. User 14 may have specified that they prefer to be matchedwith users that are under the age of 40. Analysis module 29 maydetermine that a user over the age of 40 also had the same preferredlocation information and may disregard the user even though thepreferred location information is the same as the stored locationinformation. As another example, the preferred location information maybe given more weight than other preferences submitted by user 14. Forexample, user 14 may specify that he would prefer to meet with peoplewho have blonde hair yet analysis module 29 may determine matches withuser 14 of those that do not have blonde hair yet have matching locationinformation.

At step 440, in some embodiments, matches based on the comparison of thepreferred location information to the stored location information may bepresented to user 14. For example, analysis module 29 may cause suchmatches to be presented to user 14. In some embodiments, this may beadvantageous in that user 14 may be able to provide more preferences toone or more services offered by server 20 in order to obtain morerelevant results. User 14 may also have an opportunity to discover newpreferences and efficiently provide them to server 20 to obtain morerelevant results. The matches may be presented on devices that user 14has access to, such as terminal 10 a. The results may be presented as aresponse to user 14 submitting the preferred location information. Forexample, user 14 may enter into a location such as an museum and desireto be matched with those that have also attended a museum. As aresponse, server 20 may analyze the stored location information andprovide the matches presented at step 440 within seconds, minutes, hoursor days. User 14 may be notified of the new matches at terminal 10 a asthey are sent by server 20 or user 14 may appreciate the new matcheswhen accessing one or more services offered by server 20 after sendingthe preferred location information. The matches presented at step 440may be matches that server 20 has already determined prior to receivingthe preferred location information but have been prioritized as a resultof receiving the preferred location information. For example, based onan initial set of preferences submitted before the preferred locationinformation was submitted by user 14, server 20 may have identified 100candidates for potential matches with user 14. As a result of receivingpreferred location information and identifying of those 100 candidatesthose who also have location information that corresponds to thepreferred location information analysis module 29 may reorder the set of100 users such that those with matching location information may bepresented sooner to user 14 than those matches without correspondinglocation information. In some embodiments, this may provide an advantagein that user 14 may be able to perceive more relevant results sooner.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example computer system 500 suitable forimplementing one or more portions of particular embodiments. Althoughthe present disclosure describes and illustrates a particular computersystem 500 having particular components in a particular configuration,the present disclosure contemplates any suitable computer system havingany suitable components in any suitable configuration. Moreover,computer system 500 may have take any suitable physical form, such asfor example one or more integrated circuit (ICs), one or more printedcircuit boards (PCBs), one or more handheld or other devices (such asmobile telephones or PDAs), one or more personal computers, one or moresuper computers, one or more servers, and one or more distributedcomputing elements. One or more components of FIGS. 1A-1C and one ormore steps of FIGS. 2-4 may be implemented using all of the components,or any appropriate combination of the components, of computer system 500described below.

Computer system 500 may have one or more input devices 502 (which mayinclude a keypad, keyboard, mouse, stylus, or other input devices), oneor more output devices 504 (which may include one or more displays, oneor more speakers, one or more printers, or other output devices), one ormore storage devices 506, and one or more storage medium 508. An inputdevice 502 may be external or internal to computer system 500. An outputdevice 504 may be external or internal to computer system 500. A storagedevice 506 may be external or internal to computer system 500. A storagemedium 508 may be external or internal to computer system 500. In someembodiments, terminals 10 a and 10 b, server 20, and POI database 40 ofFIG. 1A may be implemented using some or all of the components describedabove included in computer system 500.

System bus 510 couples subsystems of computer system 500 to each other.Herein, reference to a bus encompasses one or more digital signal linesserving a common function. The present disclosure contemplates anysuitable system bus 510 including any suitable bus structures (such asone or more memory buses, one or more peripheral buses, one or more alocal buses, or a combination of the foregoing) having any suitable busarchitectures. Example bus architectures include, but are not limitedto, Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus,Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Video Electronics StandardsAssociation local (VLB) bus, Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)bus, PCI-Express bus (PCI-X), and Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) bus.

Computer system 500 includes one or more processors 512 (or centralprocessing units (CPUs)). A processor 512 may contain a cache 514 fortemporary local storage of instructions, data, or computer addresses.Processors 512 are coupled to one or more storage devices, includingmemory 516. Memory 516 may include random access memory (RAM) 518 andread-only memory (ROM) 520. Data and instructions may transferbidirectionally between processors 512 and RAM 518. Data andinstructions may transfer unidirectionally to processors 512 from ROM520. RAM 518 and ROM 520 may include any suitable computer-readablestorage media.

Computer system 500 includes fixed storage 522 coupled bi-directionallyto processors 512. Fixed storage 522 may be coupled to processors 512via storage control unit 507. Fixed storage 522 may provide additionaldata storage capacity and may include any suitable computer-readablestorage media. Fixed storage 522 may store an operating system (OS) 524,one or more executables (EXECs) 526, one or more applications orprograms 528, data 530 and the like. Fixed storage 522 is typically asecondary storage medium (such as a hard disk) that is slower thanprimary storage. In appropriate cases, the information stored by fixedstorage 522 may be incorporated as virtual memory into memory 516. Insome embodiments, fixed storage 522 may include network resources, suchas one or more storage area networks (SAN) or network-attached storage(NAS). In some embodiments, memory 26, storage structures 23 and 25, andanalysis module 29 of FIGS. 1A and 1C may be implemented usingconfigurations such as the description of memory 516 above.

Processors 512 may be coupled to a variety of interfaces, such as, forexample, graphics control 532, video interface 534, input interface 536,output interface 537, and storage interface 538, which in turn may berespectively coupled to appropriate devices. Example input or outputdevices include, but are not limited to, video displays, track balls,mice, keyboards, microphones, touch-sensitive displays, transducer cardreaders, magnetic or paper tape readers, tablets, styli, voice orhandwriting recognizers, biometrics readers, or computer systems.Network interface 540 may couple processors 512 to another computersystem or to network 542. Network interface 540 may include wired,wireless, or any combination of wired and wireless components. Suchcomponents may include wired network cards, wireless network cards,radios, antennas, cables, or any other appropriate components. Withnetwork interface 540, processors 512 may receive or send informationfrom or to network 542 in the course of performing steps of particularembodiments. Particular embodiments may execute solely on processors512. Particular embodiments may execute on processors 512 and on one ormore remote processors operating together. In some embodiments,processors 512 may be used to implement analysis module 29 of FIG. 1Cand/or may perform the steps specified in instructions or code includedin analysis module 29 of FIG. 1C.

In a network environment, where computer system 500 is connected tonetwork 542, computer system 500 may communicate with other devicesconnected to network 542. Computer system 500 may communicate withnetwork 542 via network interface 540. For example, computer system 500may receive information (such as a request or a response from anotherdevice) from network 542 in the form of one or more incoming packets atnetwork interface 540 and memory 516 may store the incoming packets forsubsequent processing. Computer system 500 may send information (such asa request or a response to another device) to network 542 in the form ofone or more outgoing packets from network interface 540, which memory516 may store prior to being sent. Processors 512 may access an incomingor outgoing packet in memory 516 to process it, according to particularneeds.

Particular embodiments involve one or more computer-storage productsthat include one or more tangible, computer-readable storage media thatembody software for performing one or more steps of one or moreprocesses described or illustrated herein. In particular embodiments,one or more portions of the media, the software, or both may be designedand manufactured specifically to perform one or more steps of one ormore processes described or illustrated herein. In addition or as analternative, in particular embodiments, one or more portions of themedia, the software, or both may be generally available without designor manufacture specific to processes described or illustrated herein.Example computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to,CDs (such as CD-ROMs), FPGAs, floppy disks, optical disks, hard disks,holographic storage devices, ICs (such as ASICs), magnetic tape, caches,PLDs, RAM devices, ROM devices, semiconductor memory devices, and othersuitable computer-readable storage media. In particular embodiments,software may be machine code which a compiler may generate or one ormore files containing higher-level code which a computer may executeusing an interpreter.

As an example and not by way of limitation, memory 516 may include oneor more tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable storage mediaembodying software and computer system 500 may provide particularfunctionality described or illustrated herein as a result of processors512 executing the software. Memory 516 may store and processors 512 mayexecute the software. Memory 516 may read the software from thecomputer-readable storage media in mass storage device 516 embodying thesoftware or from one or more other sources via network interface 540.When executing the software, processors 512 may perform one or moresteps of one or more processes described or illustrated herein, whichmay include defining one or more data structures for storage in memory516 and modifying one or more of the data structures as directed by oneor more portions the software, according to particular needs. In someembodiments, memory 26, storage structures 23 and 25, and analysismodule 29 of FIGS. 1A and 1C may be implemented using configurationssuch as the description of memory 516 above.

In some embodiments, the described processing and memory elements (suchas processors 512 and memory 516) may be distributed across multipledevices such that the operations performed utilizing these elements mayalso be distributed across multiple devices. For example, softwareoperated utilizing these elements may be run across multiple computersthat contain these processing and memory elements. Other variationsaside from the stated example are contemplated involving the use ofdistributed computing. In addition or as an alternative, computer system500 may provide particular functionality described or illustrated hereinas a result of logic hardwired or otherwise embodied in a circuit, whichmay operate in place of or together with software to perform one or moresteps of one or more processes described or illustrated herein. Thepresent disclosure encompasses any suitable combination of hardware andsoftware, according to particular needs.

Although the present disclosure describes or illustrates particularoperations as occurring in a particular order, the present disclosurecontemplates any suitable operations occurring in any suitable order.Moreover, the present disclosure contemplates any suitable operationsbeing repeated one or more times in any suitable order. Although thepresent disclosure describes or illustrates particular operations asoccurring in sequence, the present disclosure contemplates any suitableoperations occurring at substantially the same time, where appropriate.Any suitable operation or sequence of operations described orillustrated herein may be interrupted, suspended, or otherwisecontrolled by another process, such as an operating system or kernel,where appropriate. The acts can operate in an operating systemenvironment or as stand-alone routines occupying all or a substantialpart of the system processing.

Although several embodiments have been illustrated and described indetail, it will be recognized that substitutions and alterations arepossible without departing from the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method executed by at least one processorcomprising the steps of: receiving first location informationidentifying a first location area at which a first user was present at afirst time period; receiving second location information identifying asecond location area at which a second user was present at a second timeperiod, wherein the second time period and the first time period aredifferent; comparing the first location information and the secondlocation information to a database, the database correlating locationinformation with points-of-interest; based on the comparison,determining that the first location information and the second locationinformation both correspond to a first point-of-interest, the firstpoint-of-interest being one of a group consisting of a business, anevent, an address, and a historical site; determining that acharacteristic related to the first user corresponds to a preferencerelated to the second user; in response to determining that the firstlocation information and the second location information both correspondto the first point-of-interest and in response to determining that thecharacteristic related to the first user corresponds to the preferencerelated to the second user, causing information to be presented to thesecond user after the first time period and the second time period, theinformation to be presented to the second user identifying the firstpoint-of-interest and that the first user and the second user have thefirst point-of-interest in common.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving third location information identifying a thirdlocation area at which a third user was present at a third time period;receiving fourth location information identifying a fourth location areaat which the second user was present at a fourth time period; anddetermining that the third location information and the fourth locationinformation each correspond to a particular location type.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein causing information related to the first user to bepresented to the second user comprises causing information related tothe first user to be presented to the second user in response todetermining that a difference between when each of the second timeperiod and the first time period began is less than a time threshold. 4.The method of claim 1, farther comprising: receiving informationindicating preferred point-of-interest of the second user, the preferredpoint-of-interest being one of a group consisting of a business, anevent, an address, and a historical site, wherein the second user is ina fourth location, the fourth location and the preferredpoint-of-interest being different; receiving third location informationrelated to a third user; comparing the third location information to thepreferred point-of-interest; in response to comparing the third locationinformation to the preferred location information, causing informationrelated to the third user to be presented to the second user.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: receiving sets of locationinformation, each set of location information related to a respectiveuser of a plurality of users; determining a plurality of places based onthe sets of location information; determining a number of usersassociated with a first place of the plurality of places based on thesets of location information; receiving third location informationrelated to the second user; comparing the plurality of places to thethird location information; and in response to comparing the pluralityof places to the third location information, causing the first place andthe number of users associated with the first place to be presented tothe second user.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second locationinformation is passively sent from a device associated with the seconduser after the second user arrives at a location associated with thesecond location information.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstlocation information and the second location information are determinedto both correspond to the first point-of-interest in response todetermining that a difference between the first location information andthe second location information is less than a distance threshold. 8.The method of claim 1, wherein causing the information to be presentedto the second user comprises causing the information to be presented tothe second user in response to determining that a difference betweenwhen each of the second time period and the first time period began isgreater than a time threshold.
 9. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising determining a difference between when each of the second timeperiod and the first time period began, and wherein the information thatis caused to be presented to the second user comprises information basedon the determined difference between when each of the second time periodand the first time period began.
 10. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising calculating a distance between the first location informationand the second location information, and wherein the information that iscaused to be presented to the second user comprises information based onthe distance calculated between the first location information and thesecond location information.
 11. The method of claim 1, whereindetermining that the first location information and the second locationinformation both correspond to the first point-of-interest comprisesdetermining that the first location information and the second locationinformation each correspond to a particular business.
 12. The method ofclaim 1, wherein causing the information to be presented to the seconduser comprises causing the information to be presented to the seconduser in response to determining that a difference between when each ofthe second time period and the first time period began is less than atime threshold.
 13. A system comprising: an interface configured to:receive first location information identifying a first location area atwhich a first user was present at a first time period; and receivesecond location information identifying a second location area at whicha second user was present at second time period, wherein the second timeperiod and the first time period are different; and at least oneprocessor configured to: compare the first location information and thesecond location information to a database, the database correlatinglocation information with points-of-interest; based on the comparison,determine that the first location information and the second locationinformation both correspond to a first point-of-interest, the firstpoint-of-interest being one of a group consisting of a business, anevent, an address, and a historical site; determine that acharacteristic related to the first user corresponds to a preferencerelated to the second user; and in response to determining that thefirst location information and the second location information bothcorrespond to the first point-of-interest and in response to determiningthat the characteristic related to the first user corresponds to thepreference related to the second user, cause information to be presentedto the second user after the first time period and the second timeperiod, the information to be presented to the second user identifyingthe first point-of-interest and that the first user and the second userhave the first point-of-interest in common.
 14. The system of claim 13,wherein: the interface is further configured to: receive third locationinformation identifying a third location area at which a third user waspresent at a third time period; and receive fourth location informationidentifying a fourth location area at which the second user was presentat a fourth time period; and the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to determine that the third location information and thefourth location information each correspond to a particular locationtype.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one processor isconfigured to cause information related to the first user to bepresented to the second user in response to determining that adifference between when each of the second time period and the firsttime period began is less than a time threshold.
 16. The system of claim13, wherein: the interface is further configured to: receive informationindicating preferred point-of-interest of the second user, the preferredpoint-of-interest being one of a group consisting of a business, anevent, an address, and a historical site, wherein the second user is ina fourth location, the fourth location and the preferredpoint-of-interest being different; and receive third locationinformation related to a third user; and the at least one processor isfurther configured to: compare the third location information to thepreferred point-of-interest; and in response to comparing the thirdlocation information to the preferred location information, causeinformation related to the third user to be presented to the seconduser.
 17. The system of claim 13, wherein: the interface is furtherconfigured to: receive sets of location information, each set oflocation information related to a respective user of a plurality ofusers; and receive third location information related to the seconduser; and the at least one processor is further configured to: determinea plurality of places based on the sets of location information;determine a number of users associated with a first place of theplurality of places based on the sets of location information; comparethe plurality of places to the third location information; and inresponse to comparing the plurality of places to the third locationinformation, cause the first place and the number of users associatedwith the first place to be presented to the second user.
 18. The systemof claim 13, wherein the second location information is passively sentfrom a device associated with the second user after the second userarrives at a location associated with the second location information.19. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one processor isconfigured to determine that the first location information and thesecond location information both correspond to the firstpoint-of-interest in response to determining that a difference betweenthe first location information and the second location information isless than a distance threshold.
 20. The system of claim 13, wherein theat least one processor is configured to cause the information to bepresented to the second user in response to determining that adifference between when each of the second time period and the firsttime period began is greater than a time threshold.
 21. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the at least one processor is further configured todetermine a difference between when each of the second time period andthe first time period began, and wherein the information that is causedto be presented to the first user comprises information based on thedetermined difference between when each of the second time period andthe first time period began.
 22. The system of claim 13, wherein the atleast one processor is further configured to calculate a distancebetween the first location information and the second locationinformation, and wherein the information that is caused to be presentedto the first user comprises information based on the distance calculatedbetween the first location information and the second locationinformation.
 23. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least oneprocessor is configured to determine that the first location informationand the second location information both correspond to the firstpoint-of-interest by determining that the first location information andthe second location information each correspond to a particularbusiness.
 24. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one processoris configured to cause the information to be presented to the seconduser in response to determining that a difference between when each ofthe second time period and the first time period began is less than atime threshold.
 25. At least one non-transitory, computer-readablemedium comprising instructions that, when executed by at least oneprocessor, are configured to: receive first location informationidentifying a first location area at which a first user was present at afirst time period; receive second location information identifying asecond location area at which a second user was present at a second timeperiod, wherein the second time period and the first time period aredifferent; compare the first location information and the secondlocation information to a database, the database correlating locationinformation with points-of-interest; based on the comparison, determinethat the first location information and the second location informationboth correspond to a first point-of-interest, the firstpoint-of-interest being one of a group consisting of a business, anevent, an address, and a historical site; determine that acharacteristic related to the first user corresponds to a preferencerelated to the second user; and in response to determining that thefirst location information and the second location information bothcorrespond to the first point-of-interest and in response to determiningthat the characteristic related to the first user corresponds to thepreference related to the second user, cause information to be presentedto the second user after the first time period and the second timeperiod, the information to be presented to the second user identifyingthe first point-of-interest and that the first user and the second userhave the first point-of-interest in common.
 26. The at least onenon-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein theinstructions are configured to: receive third location informationidentifying a third location area at which a third user was present at athird time period; receive fourth location information identifying afourth location area at which the second user was present at a fourthtime period; and determine that the third location information and thefourth location information each correspond to a particular locationtype.
 27. The at least one non-transitory, computer-readable medium ofclaim 25, wherein the instructions are configured to cause informationrelated to the first user to be presented to the second user in responseto determining that a difference between when each of the second timeperiod and the first time period began is less than a time threshold.28. The at least one non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim25, wherein the instructions are further configured to: receiveinformation indicating preferred point-of-interest of the second user,the preferred point-of-interest being one of a group consisting of abusiness, an event, an address, and a historical site, wherein thesecond user is in a fourth location, the fourth location and thepreferred point-of-interest being different; receive third locationinformation related to a third user; compare the third locationinformation to the preferred point-of-interest; and in response tocomparing the third location information to the preferred locationinformation, cause information related to the third user to be presentedto the second user.
 29. The at least one non-transitory,computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the instructions arefurther configured to: receive sets of location information, each set oflocation information related to a respective user of a plurality ofusers; receive third location information related to the second user;determine a plurality of places based on the sets of locationinformation; determine a number of users associated with a first placeof the plurality of places based on the sets of location information;compare the plurality of places to the third location information; andin response to comparing the plurality of places to the third locationinformation, cause the first place and the number of users associatedwith the first place to be presented to the second user.
 30. The atleast one non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 25, whereinthe second location information is passively sent from a deviceassociated with the second user after the second user arrives at alocation associated with the second location information.
 31. The atleast one non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 25, whereinthe instructions are configured to determine that the first locationinformation and the second location information both correspond to thefirst point-of-interest in response to determining that a differencebetween the first location information and the second locationinformation is less than a distance threshold.
 32. The at least onenon-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein theinstructions are configured to cause the information to be presented tothe second user in response to determining that a difference betweenwhen each of the second time period and the first time period began isgreater than a time threshold.
 33. The at least one non-transitory,computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the instructions areconfigured to determine a difference between when each of the secondtime period and the first time period began, and wherein the informationthat is caused to be presented to the first user comprises informationbased on the determined difference between when each of the second timeperiod and the first time period began.
 34. The at least onenon-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein theinstructions are configured to calculate a distance between the firstlocation information and the second location information, and whereinthe information that is caused to be presented to the first usercomprises information based on the distance calculated between the firstlocation information and the second location information.
 35. The atleast one non-transitory, computer-readable claim 25, wherein theinstructions are configured to determine that the first locationinformation and the second location information both correspond to thefirst point-of-interest by determining that the first locationinformation and the second location information each correspond to aparticular business.
 36. The at least one non-transitory,computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the instructions areconfigured to cause the information to be presented to the second userin response to determining that a difference between when each of thesecond time period and the first time period began is less than a timethreshold.
 37. The method of claim 5, further comprising: determining aplurality of nearby places by comparing the plurality of places to thethird location information and a radius; determining a number of usersassociated with each of the plurality of nearby places based on the setsof location information; and causing the plurality of nearby places andthe number of users associated with each of the plurality of nearbyplaces to be presented to the second user.
 38. The system of claim 17,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: determininga plurality of nearby places by comparing the plurality of places to thethird location information and a radius; determining a number of usersassociated with each of the plurality of nearby places based on the setsof location information; and causing the plurality of nearby places andthe number of users associated with each of the plurality of nearbyplaces to be presented to the second user.
 39. The at least onenon-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein theinstructions are further configured to: determining a plurality ofnearby places by comparing the plurality of places to the third locationinformation and a radius; determining a number of users associated witheach of the plurality of nearby places based on the sets of locationinformation; and causing the plurality of nearby places and the numberof users associated with each of the plurality of nearby places to bepresented to the second user.